John Henry MATTHEWS

[kim826]

I am trying to determine parents of John Henry Matthews born April 20, 1863 - I believe in Breage, Cornwall.  His death record states parents as William John Matthews and Eliza Gay/Jay.  The handwriting is difficult to read.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[krisesjoint]

Hi Kim,

Have you tried the census? Cornwall census is free online

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,144624.0.html

Also Althea's Breage site will be most helpful to you.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~althea/

You will find John's baptism, and is parents marriage to start with. 

Good Luck

Kris 

[kim826]

Wonderful!  I found them! Can you explain what it means when the word "full" is used for the age for marriage instead of their actual age?  Also it appears that I found Eliza Matthews in the Widows Book.  Can you tell me what that is?  Thank you again for your fantastic help!  Kim

[krisesjoint]

Hi Kim,

Full= of full age (over 21)
The Widows Book appears to be re parish relief, a payment provided by the parish to qualified parishioners - in this case these payments appear to have been made to widows of the parish.

Cheers Kris 

[kim826]

Thank you again for your help!